If you want to buy a used phone without scammers, arrange an in-person viewing in a public place, test the phone before paying, and only hand over the money once the device turns on and works. Never send an advance payment to a stranger, don't open payment links sent by message, and don't trust screenshots as proof of payment. Everything else is detail we cover below.
The used phone market in Slovenia is large and transparent, but that's exactly why it attracts people who live off quick bank transfers. The most common victims aren't naive buyers, but people who like a good price and who skip a step because they're in a hurry. Skipping just one step is enough, and the money is gone.
In this guide you'll find the scam patterns that repeat in phone sales, the signs that let you recognize them in the ad and in the conversation, and a procedure you can repeat every time. At the end there's also what to do if you've already sent the money, and how tools on marketplace platforms like EX & GO help with this.
Which scam patterns repeat with used phones?
The advance payment scam is the most common. The seller demands a reservation fee or full payment upfront, and the phone never arrives. In another version, the buyer sends money to a "courier" for delivery that doesn't exist.
Fake payment links and screenshots work on trust. The seller sends a link that isn't your bank, or a screenshot claiming the transfer has already been made. A screenshot is not proof of payment, because it can be created in a few minutes.
The third pattern is the fake intermediary. The person presents themselves as an "agent", "the owner's son" or "a neighbor selling on someone else's behalf". This means you don't know who you're dealing with, and responsibility easily disappears. The fourth pattern is phishing in messages: a link to "shipment tracking" or "payment confirmation" leads to a page that steals card details or your bank login.
How to spot a scammer in the ad itself?
The ad alone doesn't tell you whether the seller is honest, but some signs are telling enough that they're worth checking before you continue the conversation. Go through the list below in order and stop at every one you find.
- The price is noticeably lower than similar ads for the same model. Check several comparable ads before you respond.
- The ad has only one or two photos, often the brand or model can't be read, and the serial number isn't visible.
- The description is copied from a generic ad, with no mention of battery condition, scratches, warranty or included accessories.
- The location is given vaguely, for example "Slovenia" or "Ljubljana", without a neighborhood or meeting place.
- The seller immediately suggests communicating outside the platform, for example via a foreign messaging app.
- They insist on advance payment, on a "reservation" or on paying via a link they send themselves.
- They refuse an in-person viewing or keep postponing it, claiming they're abroad, ill, or that someone else is holding the phone.
- They demand that the conversation continue without a trace, for example by deleting messages or using a new account.
If you find two or three of these signs at once, it's better to end the conversation. The savings on price don't make up for lost money. On EX & GO you can report the ad, which helps both you and other buyers.
What is a safe viewing and how does payment work?
A safe viewing means you see the phone in person, test it, and pay only after testing. Arrange the meeting during the day in a public place, for example in a shopping center or in front of a bank branch, where there are enough people and where money can be verified.
Before paying, check the following. The phone should turn on and work without shutting down. Check the IMEI number in the settings and compare it with the label on the box or the receipt, if included. Check whether the device is locked to a previous user or to a carrier, and whether your card can be inserted. Check the screen, camera, speaker and charging. Ask about the battery condition and whether the phone has been repaired.
When paying, a simple rule applies: money is handed over when the device is handed over. Cash is simplest because the trail is immediate and nothing needs to be canceled. If you pay by bank transfer, do it only on the spot, when you have the phone in your hand, and not before. A transfer based on an invoice or a link you receive in a message is a risk you can avoid without loss.
A rule used by experienced buyers: never send money for a device you haven't held in your hand. If the seller takes this requirement as an insult, that's additional information about them, not about you.
How do in-platform chat, seller history and ratings help?
Chat within the platform leaves a trail. If the agreement moves to a private messaging app, you lose the ability to later prove what was promised. That's why it makes sense to keep the first contact and the agreement on price, place and time where the ad is posted.
Seller history is a hint, not a guarantee. On EX & GO you can see on the ad how many ads the person has posted and what ratings they have. A seller with a longer history and more ratings is generally easier to verify than a new account with no trail. But even a tidy profile doesn't replace viewing and testing.
Ad moderation and phone number verification reduce the number of obviously fake listings, but they don't eliminate scams entirely. That's why reporting suspicion matters. If you come across an ad that demands an advance payment or a payment link, report it. The posting and conduct rules are described in the platform rules, where you can also check what is and isn't allowed: EX & GO rules. If you run into trouble during the arrangement, help is also available through the support page: EX & GO support.
When comparing prices, use several ads for the same model in the same city or area. used phones The price difference between similar devices says more about the market than a single ad that stands out downward.
What to do if you've already sent the money?
The first step is contacting your bank. Call them immediately and explain that the transfer was made based on a scam, and ask whether the payment can be held or canceled. Speed matters more than anything else here, because funds move quickly.
The second step is reporting to the police. Collect everything you have: screenshots of the conversation, ad details, the account number you sent money to, and the time and place of the arrangement. Reporting also matters because the same pattern repeats with multiple people and the trails connect.
The third step is reporting the ad on the platform where you found it. On EX & GO, do this on the ad itself, which allows the listing to be reviewed. If you have questions about consumer rights or about reporting suspected fraud, general information and links to the competent authorities are collected on the national portal gov.si. Check the specific steps and jurisdiction for your case with your bank and the police, because the procedure differs depending on the payment method.
If you sent card details or your online banking login, change your password immediately and notify your bank. used phones in Ljubljana The data you provided must be treated as exposed, even if the money hasn't been taken yet.
How to buy a used phone safely in practice?
A safe purchase is a procedure, not a feeling. If you repeat it every time, most scams stop before you even discuss the price. The steps below are meant to be used in order.
- Find several ads for the same model and compare prices in your city or area.
- Check the seller's profile, their history and ratings, if available.
- Make first contact in the chat within the platform where the ad is posted.
- Arrange an in-person viewing during the day in a public place with enough people.
- Before paying, test the phone, check the IMEI and whether the device is locked.
- Pay only when the device is handed over, in cash or by transfer on the spot.
- Refuse advance payment, reservations and any payment link sent in a message.
- If something doesn't work, cancel the purchase without negotiating and report the ad.
Pay special attention to sellers who offer shipping by mail without a viewing. With a phone, viewing is key, because the device can work for a few minutes and then shut down, or it can be locked to a previous account. That can't be determined from photos.
Frequently asked questions about safely buying a used phone
Is an advance payment for a used phone always a scam?
Not always, but it's the riskiest form of payment because once you've sent the money, it usually can't simply be returned. If the seller demands an advance payment and refuses an inspection, the risk is high. A safe arrangement is to inspect the phone and pay on handover. If you can't avoid an advance payment, for example when buying from a company, verify the seller's identity, address and terms, and ask for a document showing who you're paying.
How do I check if a phone is stolen?
Check the IMEI number in the device settings and compare it with the number on the box or receipt. When buying, ask for a receipt or other proof of the device's origin. If a phone is reported stolen, it can cause problems with use and with any future servicing. If you suspect the device is stolen, don't complete the purchase and consult the police. For the verification procedure with the authorities, check the information on the national portal gov.si.
What should I do if the seller insists on communicating outside the platform?
This is a common sign of a scam, because it erases the record of your agreement. If you want a safe purchase, stay in the conversation within the platform where the ad is posted, and agree on the price, place and time there. If the seller refuses, that's a reason to end the conversation. If they persist even after you decline, report the ad. Keeping the conversation within the platform also helps you if it later turns out something was promised and not delivered.
What can I report and where?
You can report an ad that contains signs of a scam directly on the ad on the platform where you found it. On EX & GO, this is possible through the report option, and the rules are described in the platform rules. If a scam has already occurred, report the case to your bank and the police, and attach all evidence: the conversation, the ad details and the payment details. For questions about consumer rights and jurisdiction, use the information on gov.si.
Your next step
Before you respond to the next ad, take five minutes and go through the list of signs from this guide. Then compare prices for several similar phones in your city, check the seller's history, and arrange a viewing during the day in a public place. If during the conversation there's a demand for an advance payment, a payment link, or moving the conversation elsewhere, cancel the purchase and report the ad. This step costs you five minutes, while a scam can cost the entire price of the phone.